A group of Japanese researchers have revealed that Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has potent detoxification properties in cells and in particular liver cells.

Aside from being a key neurotransmitter, GABA is considered to be a multifunctional molecule that has a number of physiological roles in the body. It is also evident that the liver (a key detoxification organ within the body) contains GABA and its transporter. However, the functions of GABA in liver are not well documented. In this study, the protective effect of GABA against ethanol (alcohol) induced liver toxicity was evaluated in rodent liver cells (hepatocytes).

Results showed that while the addition of ethanol killed the cells in a dose-dependent manner, treatment with GABA actually resulted in a dose-dependent recovery from ethanol-induced toxicity.

GABA provided a clear detoxification effect. This response was obtained by modulating polyamine levels within the cell which is a key aspect of cellular health and survival. These results suggest that GABA provides a protective effect against the toxicity of ethanol in isolated rat cells but we don’t know if the results are the same in humans. The fact that GABA has powerful detoxifying properties is the key finding here. More research is required before its applications become clearer.

Growth hormone (GH) plays an important role in building strength and muscle mass. GH not only stimulates an increase in muscle protein synthesis, it also stimulates joint cartilage production, amino acid uptake by cells and the use of fat for fuel.

This peptide hormone circulates in multiple molecular forms, only some of which are biologically active.

Firstly, there is the intact immune-reactive form of GH (irGH). This form of GH possesses two separate receptor-binding domains, both of which are necessary to engage the GH receptor and initiate a cellular response. The immuno-functional GH (ifGH) represents the fraction of irGH that contains these all-important binding domains; this is the fraction of GH that is biologically active.

In men, the bulk of bioactive GH (ifGH) secretion occurs at night. However, studies show that daytime production appears to be comparatively low. Therefore, if we have a way to boost the level of bioactive GH during the day, it may provide faster muscle growth and more effective fat loss.

Studies in the past have shown that both intense aerobic and resistance exercise stimulate GH secretion. The problem is, scientists are not sure how much of this GH is the bioactive form. The good news is, a new study published earlier this year has shown how bodybuilders can jack their bioactive GH levels every time they train.1

Method: In this study, 11 healthy, resistance-trained males participated in four experimental trials; two resting and two exercising. The bouts of exercise were short, fairly intense weight lifting workouts. Each trial was separated by one week. Just before each trial began, the men were given 3 grams of GABA or a placebo. Blood samples were taken up to 90 minutes after the dose. The samples were analyzed for ifGH, (the bioactive form of GH).

GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid), is an amino acid classified as a neurotransmitter. As a supplement, GABA has been shown in clinical trials to be remarkably consistent at elevating blood GH levels. In some cases by over 500%! However, even though GABA is an effective GH-booster and, intense exercise also spikes GH production during the day, no studies had examined the combined effect of taking GABA before an intense bout of exercise such as weight training.

Results: * At rest, a 3 gram dose of GABA elevated both GH and ifGH compared with placebo. Specifically, peak concentrations of both hormones were elevated consistently, 375% above normal levels. That’s a consistent 375% in bioactive GH simply from taking GABA. * Weight training elevated both GH and its bioactive form significantly. However, the combination of GABA supplementation and weight training elevated both GH and ifGH concentrations around 175% greater than exercise alone. * So, exercise boosts the production of bioactive GH but taking GABA before exercise enhances this response, greatly. * GABA ingestion did not alter the ratio of bioactive ifGH to regular GH under all study conditions. Interestingly, ifGH represents approximately half (50%) of the irGH fraction. * Probably the most important aspect of this study, was the level of control and therefore, the quality of data. This study was double-blind, randomized and a crossover design. This means no one directly involved in the study knew who was getting what, and every participant was assessed under all 4 conditions; at rest (a dose of GABA and placebo) and exercise (after a dose of GABA and the placebo). These procedures ensure that the data obtained is about as good as it gets.

Clearly, a dose of GABA is very effective at boosting the production of bioactive GH, particularly during the day – a time when production is usually low. GABA can be used to boost the natural production of GH during the day but most importantly, the bioactive form of GH will also be increased.

Secondly, whenever you hit the gym and train with intensity you can be assured of a nice spike in bioactive GH. However, if you want to crank it up a notch or two, take a dose of GABA before each workout. The results of this study suggest you will experience a significantly greater increase in bioactive GH, than just exercise alone.

One final thing. In this study, the subjects were given the supplement first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach.